Acquisition Information

Robert Bristow (1643-1707) settled in Virginia about 1660
and purchased valuable estates. He returned to London,
England, about 1680, but retained control of his property in
Virginia. Upon his death, his grandson Robert Bristow (d.
1776) was bequested the lands in Virginia which consisted of
estates in Gloucester, Lancaster, Stafford and Prince William
Counties.

The ledger entries are for shoes, buttons, cloth, thread,
and tobacco. The letter book reflects the Bristows' activity
in Virginia trade and includes instructions to the managers of
their plantations. Other letters concern shipment of tobacco,
various financial transactions, and clothing for plantation
slaves. Recipients of letters includes Thomas Booth (d. 1736),
the manager of Bristow's lands in Gloucester County, and
Frances Willis among others.